MBA Program Ranked in Top 20 for Veterans

News Release by Margaret Chantung

MBA Program Lecture

A lecture in Markstein Hall, as a part of the Masters of Business Administration program.

The Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has been ranked No. 19 out of 75 by Military Times in its 2015 list of Best for Vets: Business Schools, the publication announced March 9.

The organization made up of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times focused on culture and curriculum that cater to military veterans when conducting and scoring the third annual Best for Vets: Business Schools survey, a highly respected, nearly 80-question analysis of a graduate business school’s complete offerings for veterans.

The College of Business Administration offers two MBA programs: a Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA) for working professionals with at least three years of work experience and an innovative Specialized Accelerated MBA (SAMBA) designed for individuals with three years or less of work experience.

“Our veteran students bring with them a great foundation of skills from the military, including leadership, management, team-building, logistics and operations,” said CoBA Interim Dean Jim Hamerly. “We appreciate the value and experience they bring to our classrooms. Through signature courses like Meet the Leaders, unique programs like Professional Connections, and the graduate final project, student veterans have the opportunity to build-up their professional network and transition into civilian work environments.”

Eleven percent of CSUSM’s total student population self-identifies as a veteran, active-duty military personnel, or a dependent—the highest number per capita in the 23-campus California State University system. In September 2014, the University re-opened its Veteran’s Center in a new, 1,000-square-foot building, donated by students and faculty at the Stevens Institute of Technology. The Center offers support in achieving students’ academic and career goals with services tailored to their unique needs.

“We put a lot of emphasis on not only ensuring that our military-affiliated students get a first-class education but that they get the knowledge and experience they need for sustainable careers post-graduation,” said Veterans Services Director Patricia Reily. “Higher education is a great way to transition veterans into the next part of their lives—and we do that really well here,” she said.

CSUSM’s veteran-friendly approach to higher education is also supported by such initiatives as the War at Home and Abroad digital history archive project, the Veterans Student Support Fund and veteran specific scholarships. For the last two years, the University has been named a Top School by Military Advanced Education and, since 2010, it has been recognized as “Best for Vets” by Military Times.